Hi-Tech Learning


Technology is changing the way teachers teach and the way your child
learns. Learn the benefits of hi-tech education tools.

Technology has permeated our culture. We are surrounded by it and it is
not going away. This is a fact. In addition, the world is changing at a rapid
pace largely due to technology. Doesn’t it make sense to include
technology in education? As its presence expands and continues to grow,
educators are challenged to find innovative ways to employ technology in
the classroom. Luckily, many of our educators are rising to this challenge
and technology has become an integral component in educational
environments. There are multiple reasons why using technology in the
education is valuable. A few reasons why technology is beneficial in
education:

Keeps students curious and engaged:

Children today are “digital natives” and as a result have a greater, almost
innate understanding of technology. Students often spend much of their
time out of school occupied with technology. They are excited and
engrossed by game systems, iPads, the Internet, smartphones, etc. We can
engage students by tapping into this energy, bringing what they know into
their learning. Students are, of course, all individual and technology gives
them the ability to go at an individual pace without disrupting the class.
Students can repeat/review difficult information or further explore topics of
interest. Interactive simulations, illustrations, and other virtual
manipulatives can produce a much greater depth of understanding.

Easy access to Learning:

Technology opens the door to learning for children of all abilities who
require extra support. Not only can it supplement math or reading
instruction for children who require extra help, but can build bridges to
learning concepts for children with special needs, and assist with
communication for nonverbal students and others who require support
through the use of augmentative communication.

I believe there is no substitute for an inspiring teacher, but technology is
far more available. As our classroom sizes increase students reduced one
to one time with a teacher. Although a student may have limited access to a
teacher, s/he often has access to the Internet 100% of the time. When the
students have access to tools over the web, they can reinforce ideas taught
in the classroom by experimenting and exploring themselves, anytime,
anywhere.

Collaboration:

Collaboration is an all-important skill. It is necessary between students
and teachers, students and students, and eventually students and their
world. In higher education and in work we see individuals stretched across
the globe take on projects together. The ability to work collaboratively on
projects with others who may not be physically close can easily be done
using technology (i.e. skype, dropbox, email, instant messaging, smart
phones) and is a necessary skill in the digital world.



Libbi Malmborg, M.S. CCC-SLP
Childrens-slc.org /
801.810.9145
Libbi is a speech-language pathologist and founder of the Children’s
Synergistic Learning Collaborative, a small, mobile group of trained
specialists providing intervention and support to children within their
natural environments.

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